By By SCOTT COOPER – Sports Writer
Six teams competing for top honors in the Brewton Babe Ruth League kicked-off the season on May 6. The teams, comprised of 13-15 year-olds from Brewton and the surrounding area, will continue a full slate of games through the middle of June as they attempt to capture the championship trophy.
After three games, the Astros have jumped-out front in the standings with a 3-0 mark. Following closely behind are the Angels and Pirates at 2-1. While both the Blue Jays and Brewers are currently 1-2, the Devil Rays have yet to break into the win column and stand at 0-3.
Astros 4, Pirates 3
The Astros and Pirates met in the first of three May 6 opening-day games and waged a battle that remained in question to the end.
After the two teams were deadlocked 3-3 at the end of the first inning, the Astros moved another run across the plate in the third that proved to be the difference in their 4-3 win.
The opposing starting pitchers, Jordan Cauley of the Astros and Antonio Gomez of the Pirates, effectively controlled the game after the teams' first-inning scoring spree. While Cauley got the win by tossing a four-hitter and recording 10 strikeouts over seven innings, Gomez also pitched well in a losing cause. Gomez went the distance and allowed only two hits while striking-out seven.
Leading batters for the Astros were Brad Smith, 1-for-2 and Michael Hunt, 1-for-3 with one RBI.
Offensive leaders for the Pirates were Hayes Peace, 1-for-2 with one RBI; Baxley Raines, 2-for-4 and Hayes Martin 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
Blue Jays 19, Devil Rays 0
The Blue Jays got off to an impressive start with a 19-0 season opening win over the Devil Rays.
Pounding the ball consistently from the start, the Blue Jays moved six runners across the plate in the first inning and cruised from that point to an easy victory in a game that was called after five innings due to the 10-run rule.
While the Blue Jay offense was producing runs by the droves, Blue Jay starting pitcher Derek Busby was handcuffing the Devil Ray batters to the tune of a one-hitter. Busby threw for three innings and struck-out four while earning the win.
Pacing the Blue Jay offense were Jake Smith 4-for-4 with four RBIs; Bracken Davis, 2-for-2 with one RBI; Stephen Matthews, 3-for-3; Justin Smith, 3-for-4 with one RBI; Javaris Drakeford, 2-for-4 with one RBI; Derek Busby, 1-for-2; Mackie Jackson, 1-for-2 and Aaron Lambert, 1-for-3.
Nick Stanley went 1-for-1 and Patrick Reeves went 1-for-2 in leading the Devil Ray offense.
Angels 9, Brewers 8
A wild affair took place when the Angels and Brewers did battle in the last of the May 6 opening-day games.
Although the Brewers managed only one base hit the entire game, 14 walks given up by the Angels' pitching staff allowed the game to remain close. In the end, though, the eight hits produced by the Angels' batters were enough to earn a 9-8 victory.
Jeffrey Stokes notched the win in a relief role, allowing no hits and striking-out two in an inning of work.
Leading the Angels' offense were Will Waters, 1-for-2 with one RBI; Jimmy Wilson, 2-for-4 with one RBI; Aaron Nelson, 1-for-2; Jeffrey Stokes, 1-for-3 with one RBI; Clayton Booker, 1-for-3 and Kirby Green, two RBIs.
Jared Cooper went 1-for-1 with one RBI to lead the Brewers' offensive efforts.
Angels 13, Devil Rays 3
In a May 8 matchup with the Devil Rays, the Angels' bats sizzled for five innings in a 13-3 win.
While the Devil Rays were being held in check on the offensive end, the Angel batters were busy producing 15 base hits that paved the way for an 11-3 advantage after two innings. Then, two more Angel runs in the third ended the scoring in a game called at the completion of five innings due to the 10-run rule.
Josh Danley earned the win, going four innings while giving-up four hits and striking-out three.
Offensive leaders for the Angels were Whitney Qualls, 3-for-3 with three RBIs; Will Waters, 2-for-2 with one RBI; Clayton Booker, 1-for-1; Josh Danley, 3-for-4; Spencer Williamson, 2-for-3 with three RBIs; Brennan Klenk, 1-for-2 with one RBI; Justin Ball, 1-for-2 with one RBI; Jimmy Wilson, 1-for-2 and Jeffrey Stokes, 1-for-3 with one RBI.
Justin Cole led the Devil Rays with a 2-for-2 performance at the plate.
Pirates 10, Blue Jays 6
When the Pirates and Blue Jays met on May 8, the Pirates broke open a tight game midway through the contest on their way to a 10-6 win.
Holding a 5-2 lead after three innings but with the Blue Jays still within striking distance, the Pirates effectively put the game away in the fourth. Three unanswered runs accounted for an 8-2 advantage that proved to be more than enough for a Pirates' victory.
Baxley Raines tossed a complete game while notching the win. Raines allowed eight hits and struck-out 13 batters.
Leading the Pirates on offense were Baxley Raines, 2-for-2 with three RBIs; Daniel Pace, 2-for-3 with one RBI and Nykeem Barton, 1-for-3.
Justin Smith and Becker Denton each went 3-for-4 with one RBI to lead the Blue Jays' offense.
Astros 7, Brewers 6
A May 8 meeting of the Astros and Brewers saw the Brewers hold the upper hand for most of the contest before an Astros' rally earned them a 7-6 win.
The Brewers entered the fifth inning of play holding a 5-3 lead, but then the Astros warmed-up the bats on their way to four runs over the final three innings.
Tanner Shehan came on in relief to earn the win for the Astros, allowing three hits while recording six strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings.
Leaders for the Astros' offense were Michael Hunt, 2-for-2 with one RBI; Matt Hamric, 1-for-1; Tanner Shehan, 2-for-3; Brad Smith, 2-for-4 with one RBI; Jordan Cauley, 2-for-4 and Jimmy Jones, 1-for-3.
Offensive leaders for the Brewers were Johnathan Taylor, 1-for-2 and Jared Cooper, two RBIs.
Pirates 7, Angels 2
Pirates' starting pitcher Allen Williams took control from the mound in leading his team to a 7-2 win over the Angels on May 9.
Williams tossed a complete game while controlling the Angels' offense over the course of the contest. Williams allowed seven hits and struck-out seven, but just as importantly kept the Angel batters off the bases with only a single walk.
Pacing the Pirates offensively were Baxley Raines, 2-for-2 with one RBI and Allen Williams, 2-for-3.
Batting leaders for the Angels were Spencer Williamson, 2-for-3; Will Waters, 1-for-2; Josh Danley, 1-for-3; Jeffrey Stokes, 1-for-3 and Brennan Klenk, 1-for-3.
Brewers 16, Devil Rays 6
With a 16-6 win over the Devil Rays on May 9, the Brewers comfortably secured their initial win of the season.
After falling behind 2-0 at the end of one inning, the Brewers went wild on the offensive end with seven second-inning runs that lifted them to a lead that would only escalate as the game wore on. By holding a 10-run advantage at the completion of five innings, the game was awarded to the Brewers.
James Freeman earned the win in relief, going 3 1/3 innings while allowing one hit and striking-out five.
Offensive leaders for the Brewers were Parke Dubose, 3-for-3 with two RBIs; Justin Marshall, 2-for-3 with two RBIs; Bobby Freeman, 1-for-2; Tyler Peavy, 1-for-2; Travis Holland, 1-for-3 with one RBI; Wade McCall, 1-for-3 with one RBI and Jake Hodge, 1-for-3.
Offensive leaders for the Devil Rays were Brice Martin, 1-for-1; Justin Cole, 1-for-3 with two RBIs and Fred Samuel, 1-for-3.
Astros 17, Blue Jays 7
Mikel Riggs tossed a one-hitter to lead the league-leading Astros to a May 9 17-7 victory over the Blue Jays.
Keeping their undefeated record intact at 3-0, the Astros pounded-out 12 base hits and took advantage of 10 Blue Jay errors to mount a scoring total that their opponent simply were unable to match.
In addition to earning the win with his one-hit performance, Riggs recorded 11 strikeouts.
Leaders at the plate for the Astros were Tanner Shehan, 2-for-2 with four RBIs; Matt Hamric, 1-for-1; Mikel Riggs, 3-for-5 with one RBI; Kelly Stallworth, 1-for-2; Edward Taylor, 1-for-3 with one RBI and Jimmy Jones, three RBIs.
Derek Busby went 1-for-3 to lead the Blue Jay batters.